Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter, and Outdoorsman
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Elk hunts are becoming increasingly popular, but logistics can often be very difficult. For example, what are you supposed to do with hundreds of pounds of elk meat after you harvest an elk? Shipping the elk meat home is a good option, but this leads to the question: how much does it cost to ship elk meat?
Elk meat must be shipped frozen to avoid spoiling. Costs will vary depending on what shipping service you choose, the weight of the meat, and the speed at which it is delivered. On average, shipping 100 pounds of elk meat can cost anywhere from $150 to $900.
Getting all of your elk meat home safely is an important part of harvesting an elk, but shipping it can often be a headache. Continue reading to learn all about the different methods of shipping elk meat, how to do it, and which services provide the best options.
In this post, we'll cover:
Can You Ship Hunted Meat?
Many often wonder if it is legal to ship the meat from a wild animal they have harvested and processed. It is completely legal and ok to ship hunted meat, but it must be done correctly. For example, most places require you to completely freeze the meat so that there are no liquids that could potentially spill or leak out during transport.
You may also need to disclose the contents of your packages to ensure you are shipping them correctly and in the proper containers per the requirements of the shipping service.
Some services may require you to ship meat with priority or overnight shipping in order to avoid any problems. This will cost you more money in the long run, but it is well worth the extra dollars to avoid any of your meat from going bad.
By paying for a quicker service, you can get your meat where it needs to go as quickly as possible and before it thaws out.
How Do You Package Elk Meat to Ship?
The best way to ship elk meat is completely frozen, so it is best to ensure that it is already cut, cleaned, and packaged up for shipping. This could mean packaged with butcher paper or vacuum-sealed bags. If you take your meat to a meat processor, they will package the meat for you.
You may also be able to request specific packaging depending on your needs. For example, vacuum-sealed bags may not leak blood should the meat start to defrost.
Elk meat can be shipped in any type of packaging, however. As long as it is completely frozen and the packaging is not damaged, you can ship the elk meat to wherever you need to without any trouble.
The key is to ship the meat as quickly as you can, and most people are going to recommend overnight shipping when possible.
While pricey, this ensures that the meat gets to its destination as soon as possible to avoid it from getting too warm and spoiling.
How Do I Ship Frozen Elk Meat?
In order to ship your elk meat frozen, you will first need to find access to a freezer large enough to hold your meat. Once placed inside, it will need to stay in there for at least 24 hours in order to ensure that it is frozen completely. After it has frozen all the way through, it can be properly shipped.
You can choose to ship your elk meat in any type of container that you want if the meat is frozen. It can even be shipped in a sturdy cardboard box, although this is not the best option as it does a poor job of keeping the meat insulated and cold.
The best containers to ship frozen meat will be those that are strong, sturdy, have thick walls for insulation, and can be taped shut to avoid letting the cold escape. Some shipping services will also have their own requirements for what types of containers you can and cannot send through the mail.
Lastly, some shipping providers will also allow you to ship dry ice with your meat to help it stay cool and frozen. Unlike regular ice, dry ice does not have any water or fluids that will make a mess when it “melts.”
While it can a little in weight and make the price go up, it can also help give you peace of mind that your meat will stay frozen.
Best Shipping Providers for Meat
There are many shipping providers that can help you ship your elk meat anywhere in the world. It is a good idea to call them ahead of time or view their website in order to become familiar with their specific rules and requirements when it comes to shipping wild game meat.
It may also take a little preparation in order to get your meat ready to ship, so you want to be prepared ahead of time.
Here are a few of the best shipping providers in the country that can help you ship out your elk meat, as well as how you can get learn more information about their services.
United States Postal Service
Wild Game Transport
http://www.wildgametransport.com/
FedEx
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/home.html
United Parcel Service
https://www.ups.com/us/en/Home.page
Trophy Transport
Final Thoughts
Shipping elk meat can be a headache, but with a little bit of homework, it is actually very easy. As long as you make plans to properly freeze and package your elk meat, almost all shipping providers will be happy to help you ship your elk meat anywhere it needs to go!
Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.
Sources
- https://tractoptics.com/blog/how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt/
- https://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=356430&forum=5
- https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/shipping-meat-and-antlers.283085/